Federal proposal: kill salmon-eating cormorants

Posted: Jun 12, 2014 4:17 PM PDT


Updated: Jun 12, 2014 6:35 PM PDT



PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Federal officials are proposing to kill half the large colony of cormorants in the Columbia River estuary because they consume too many young salmon and steelhead.

The proposal is the preferred action in a draft management plan released Thursday by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The colony of cormorants on East Sand Island near the mouth of the Columbia consumes about 11 million juvenile salmon per year. The fish are listed as endangered.

Officials say despite use of non-lethal methods and reductions in nesting habitat, the cormorant population has continued to thrive. There are now about 15,000 breeding pairs.

Federal officials are proposing to reduce the colony to 5,600 breeding pairs by killing half of them, trying to scare off the others and taking their eggs.


http://www.khq.com/story/25765735/federal-proposal-kill-salmon-eating-cormorants